An overlooked Windows update blocks Chrome incognito mode from clipboard history

Many users believe a browser's incognito mode will prevent others from snooping on their activities. However, private tabs in Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge previously stored copied text to Windows clipboard history. This security hole was especially problematic with cloud syncing enabled, giving hackers more routes to access sensitive information. Fortunately, Microsoft worked with Google to correct the problem. Windows Latest discovered the update actually went live later in 2024 with minimal fanfare.

Some Windows 10 and 11 PC owners may not even realize the clipboard history feature exists. This functionality is handy when copying and pasting several bits of text to a Notepad file or other document. Holding the Windows key + V will display a pop-up window with a list of recently copied information. After changing a Windows setting, users can also cloud sync the clipboard across any device that uses the same Microsoft account. 

Microsoft added code with new clipboard formats to secure activities in private windows and tabs. The changes benefit all Chromium-based browsers, including Chrome, which Google updated accordingly. In the case of macOS, text is automatically deleted after being copied to stop sharing between Apple devices.

Windows made another modification in the way media is previewed in a browser's incognito mode. Now, information about videos and music is no longer displayed when adjusting volume or skipping tracks.

Problematic Windows updates like 24H2 usually get more attention than other fixes. Sound and Auto HDR snafus are annoying, but Microsoft and Google clearly have a security-first approach. Of course, critics warn against putting too much faith in the same companies trusted to protect personal data.